State Approves Up to $25 Million Grants to Benefit San Diego Water Reliability

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved a grant package worth at least $20.6 million that will provide funding for 20 local projects designed to improve the San Diego region’s water supply reliability, water quality and natural resources. The San Diego region’s grant package may increase to as much as $25 million, once Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the state’s 2009 fiscal budget.

Saving water and money

Point-of-purchase vouchers currently offered by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies to reduce out-of-pocket cost when purchasing water-efficient equipment will only be honored until June 30. Beginning July 1, customers will use rebate applications to receive incentive discounts.

The change applies to single-family, multifamily, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties that purchase authorized indoor water-saving products, ranging from toilets and urinals to HVAC system pH conductivity controllers and clothes washers.

Customer Demand Exhausts Funds for Water Authority’s Turf Replacement Program

After a successful run of more than two years, the San Diego County Water Authority’s turf replacement incentive program has stopped accepting applications because grant funds for the initiative will be exhausted by pending rebate requests. Launched in December 2012, the WaterSmart Turf Replacement Program will directly account for the replacement of more than 1 million square feet of water-intensive turf grass with low-water-use landscapes across the region.

Water Authority Board Approves Filing a Lawsuit Against Metropolitan Water District Challenging Illegal Water Rates

   The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today unanimously approved filing suit against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California challenging the 2011 and 2012 water rates that MWD adopted in April.

Water Authority board approves $1.48 billion budget for fiscal years 2008 and 2009

The San Diego County Water Authority board of directors today approved a $1.48 billion budget for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 that funds the agency’s operations and capital improvements, a 10.4 percent increase over the prior two-year budget.

Water Authority Gains Ground in High-Stakes Lawsuit Against Metropolitan

A Superior Court judge on Tuesday granted the San Diego County Water Authority’s motion to amend a lawsuit against the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Water Authority Rate Challenge

For more information about the Water Authority’s lawsuit against unfair rates and charges levied by MWD, go to www.sdcwa.org/mwdrate-challenge

Water Authority Board Approves Landmark Seawater Desalination Project

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday voted to approve a landmark agreement to purchase up to 56,000 acre-feet of water annually from what will be the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad, Calif.  The plant is expected to start producing up to 50 million gallons a day in 2016.

Carlsbad Desalination Plant

Statement from San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Fern Steiner calling for state leaders to place water bond on November ballot:

“San Diego County is at the end of California’s water system, and is particularly vulnerable to water supply constraints. Already San Diego County’s water supplies are being cut. Restrictions on pumping from the State Water Project have resulted in the loss of 500,000 acre-feet of water deliveries so far this year, including about 60,000 acre-feet that would have been delivered to San Diego County. Thousands of farmers in the county have had their water supplies cut up to 30 percent. They are stumping avocado trees and cutting production to cope.

Congress Acts to Restart Canal Lining Project

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Reaffirming Congress’ landmark 1988 legislation to conserve water from earthen canals that carry Colorado River water in California’s Imperial Valley, the House and Senate early Saturday morning passed legislation directing immediate implementation of the project to line the All American Canal in the Imperial Valley. The project was interrupted earlier this year due to a federal court lawsuit.